As a result of more than a week of declining activity at Kasatochi and Okmok volcanoes, beginning at 5 pm ADT today, AVO will scale back its 24-hour monitoring activities that began on July 12 with the eruption of Okmok volcano. The AVO operations room will be staffed during normal business hours (8 am to 5 pm), and the status of the volcanoes will be checked every two hours during non-business hours and on the weekends. AVO will continue to closely monitor activity at Kasatochi, Okmok, and Cleveland volcanoes (those volcanoes at elevated color code) using seismic data, satellite images, internet camera data and observer reports.

AVO may be contacted during non-business hours by calling 907-786-7497 and calls will be directed to the AVO Duty Scientist through our answering service.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

VOLCANO ALERT LEVELS

NORMALVolcano is in typical background, noneruptive state or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity has ceased and volcano has returned to noneruptive background state.

ADVISORYVolcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase.

WATCHVolcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain, OR eruption is underway but poses limited hazards.

WARNINGHazardous eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected.

AVIATION COLOR CODES

GREENVolcano is in typical background, noneruptive state or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity has ceased and volcano has returned to noneruptive background state.

YELLOWVolcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase.

ORANGEVolcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain, OR eruption is underway with no or minor volcanic-ash emissions [ash-plume height specified, if possible].

REDEruption is imminent with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere likely OR eruption is underway or suspected with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere [ash-plume height specified, if possible].